flowers

In the style of… Brian Wildsmith

| Anna Cull
Diptych of daisies, Akaroa, 2009
Diptych of daisies, Akaroa, 2009
Diptych of daisies – acrylic on canvas, 175 x 230 mm (each), 2014
Diptych of daisies – acrylic on canvas, 175 x 230 mm (each), 2014

A little nature study…

Diptych of daisies (one)
Diptych of daisies (one)
Diptych of daisies (two)
Diptych of daisies (two)

Brian Wildsmith

Brian Wildsmith – illustrations from Birds (1967) and Squirrels (1974) Images from http://eye-likey.blogspot.com
Brian Wildsmith – illustrations from Birds (1967) and Squirrels (1974)
Images from http://eye-likey.blogspot.com

Brian Wildsmith (born 1930) has written and illustrated more than eighty books. I love his use of colour and the way he combines abstract textures with carefully considered details. And his animals… his animals have such life and personality. You can check out his website here.

In the style of… appears occasionally instead of my regular Shoot it, Sketch it posts. Using my own photographs as a starting point, I’m drawing inspiration from some of the world’s greatest illustrators. It’s not about slavishly copying someone else’s art; it’s an experiment in seeing things differently.

Shoot it, Sketch it: Pink

| Anna Cull
Spring blossoms, original photograph – Christchurch, 2012
Spring blossoms, original photograph – Christchurch, 2012
Spring blossoms – acrylic on canvas, 240 x 300 mm, 2014
Spring blossoms – acrylic on canvas, 240 x 300 mm, 2014. Private collection.

I took a few liberties with the composition and colours on this one. I don’t have any WIP (work in progress) photos but trust me when I say that it only came alive when I added blue to the background (and a hint of blue to the petals).

P.S. Yes, this is the same plum tree immortalised here, here and here.

Shoot it, Sketch it: Purple

| Anna Cull
Purple coneflowers, digitally edited photographs – Christchurch, 2003
Purple coneflowers, digitally edited photographs – Christchurch, 2003

I have no idea where my original photographs are but these are the arty versions (created quite a few years ago using Corel Photo-Paint) that inspired the diptych below. How I wish our garden still looked this good!

Purple coneflower diptych – acrylic on textured card, 205 x 305 mm each, 2014
Purple coneflower diptych – acrylic on textured card, 205 x 305 mm each, 2014

A loose, sketchy style seemed the thing for these two studies. I also used less intense, more natural colours and resisted the urge to define all the edges. In some ways they feel a little unfinished, like a work still in progress, and yet I can’t bring myself to add any more paint.

A crafty vintage

| Anna Cull
© Sandra Fleck 2013
© 2013 Sandra Fleck

I made these faux wine labels for Sandra a.k.a. bagirl as props when we photographed her wine courier bags. Never one to let a design opportunity pass by, I made use of the watercolour background that I painted for her business cards/product labels.

© Sandra Fleck 2013
© 2013 Sandra Fleck

And here they are in their supporting role with a couple of the wine couriers. Sandra and her bags will also be at Saturday’s craft fair in Halswell (Christchurch, New Zealand)*. Click here for details.

* PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately, the craft fair was cancelled. Organisers say there were not enough stall holders to make it worthwhile holding the event.